The International Framework of Spectrum Management

The radio frequency spectrum is being used by a growing variety of radio services. The traditional uses of broadcasting, maritime and aeronautical communications, point to point fixed links, land mobile radio and numerous navigation services remain, but in almost every category new applications are being introduced at a growing pace and novel uses of radio spectrum are being exploited. Recent years have seen a dramatic change to digital modulation techniques, both in fixed and mobile services and the next generation of digital broadcasting services are close to implementation. There is increasing interest in the field of satellite communications to provide mobile services and more generally radio is providing the means to introduce quickly new telecommunication services, to provide competition in developed countries and to provide basic telephone services in developing countries. All of these applications have to co-exist alongside scientific and hobby use of radio and against a background of radio frequency emissions from nonradiocommunication sources.